Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Durham, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Durham, NC

😐 Solo nomad: Austin, TX is 0 than Durham, NC without rent, and 2.4% more expensive with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Austin, TX is 1% cheaper than Durham, NC without rent, and 12.3% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Durham, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64 $19.64
$15.14 $15.14
29.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$70.9 $70.9
7.58%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$9.95 $9.95
-
Cappuccino
$5.61 $5.61
$4.6 $4.6
21.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.15 $2.15
22.79%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$1.83 $1.83
19.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$5.11 $5.11
14.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.92 $7.92
$6.53 $6.53
21.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Durham, NC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$0.86 $0.86
31.40%
White Bread (500g)
$3.3 $3.3
$3.8 $3.8
-13.16%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.5 $3.5
$3.68 $3.68
-4.89%
Eggs
$4.4 $4.4
$4.41 $4.41
-0.23%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12 $12
$9.23 $9.23
30.01%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$12.48 $12.48
-14.42%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.73 $14.73
$15.72 $15.72
-6.30%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$5.53 $5.53
-11.75%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.18 $1.18
28.81%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$3.74 $3.74
21.12%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$3.43 $3.43
14.29%
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.57 $2.57
5.84%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$2.81 $2.81
-1.78%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$1.9 $1.9
5.79%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$1.92 $1.92
13.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.86 $8.86
$10.15 $10.15
-12.71%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 $14.96
$15.17 $15.17
-1.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$1.75 $1.75
33.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$4.22 $4.22
-18.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Durham, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 $1.48
$1.99 $1.99
-25.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.82 $42.82
$25.24 $25.24
69.65%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.3 $4.3
$2.02 $2.02
112.87%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$1.52 $1.52
19.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.63 $34.63
$22.79 $22.79
51.95%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.73 $0.73
$0.87 $0.87
-16.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$28.5K $28.5K
-10.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$26.2K $26.2K
0.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Durham, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 $177
$162 $162
8.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$53.6 $53.6
9.92%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8 $64.8
$75.3 $75.3
-13.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Durham, NC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.6 $62.6
$40.25 $40.25
55.50%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.17 $10.17
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.72 $14.72
$12.15 $12.15
21.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Durham, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,378 $1,378
$1,288 $1,288
7.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$31.2K $31.2K
-28.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Durham, NC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 $56.3
$52.2 $52.2
7.86%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.46 $46.46
$34.49 $34.49
34.71%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.7 $86.7
$79.5 $79.5
9.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$119 $119
0.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Durham, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,188 $2,188
$1,875 $1,875
16.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,395 $1,395
$1,425 $1,425
-2.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,896 $3,896
$2,525 $2,525
54.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,689 $2,689
$2,308 $2,308
16.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,414 $4,414
$2,823 $2,823
56.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,161 $3,161
$2,665 $2,665
18.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Durham, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,871 $4,871
$4,429 $4,429
9.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.54
-1.38%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Austin, TX: October 28, 2025

Last update for Durham, NC: October 27, 2025

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